Ora and Singapore Eye Research Institute Unveil Groundbreaking Partnership to Propel Ophthalmology Innovation Globally
May 02 2024 - 8:41AM
Business Wire
Ora, Inc., the foremost global ophthalmology contract research
organization (CRO), today announced a strategic, exclusive
partnership with the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), a
world-renowned institution for cutting-edge eye research and
ophthalmic preclinical studies.
This exclusive partnership marks a significant milestone in the
ophthalmology research industry by combining the unparalleled
clinical development expertise of Ora with the cutting-edge
preclinical study capabilities of SERI. Aimed at providing
early-stage innovators around the world with comprehensive research
support, this partnership is set to revolutionize the development
of new ophthalmic therapies.
SERI is a leading research institute provider of non-clinical
ophthalmic animal studies, specializing in the development and use
of translatable ocular animal models in a variety of small and
large animal species to evaluate drug and device therapies for
ocular diseases. With a reputation for excellence and a commitment
to scientific rigor and ethical preclinical operations, SERI will
collaborate with Ora’s biopharmaceutical and device clients to
accelerate the development of therapeutic candidates across a range
of ocular-specific therapeutic areas.
Key benefits of the partnership include:
- Comprehensive Preclinical Services: SERI brings a wealth
of experience and state-of-the-art resources to ensure that every
aspect of preclinical evaluation is conducted with precision and
thoroughness, reinforcing Ora’s delivery of top-tier,
ethically-minded research in the field.
- Unmatched Breadth of Models: SERI boasts an unparalleled
array of non-GLP systemic safety, toxicity, ocular safety,
pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and efficacy models, spanning
both anterior and posterior segments of the eye, which are not
readily available from other CROs. This ensures Ora clients have
access to a tailored selection of models that best suit the
specific requirements of their ophthalmic research endeavors.
- Reduced Timelines: The partnership with SERI facilitates
the efficient evaluation of potential therapeutic candidates for
eye disorders, with expedited access to world class expertise and
capabilities for preclinical evaluations.
- Quality Assurance: With AALAC accreditation, SERI
adheres rigorously to the highest quality and ethical standards of
industry best-practices. This commitment ensures that every
preclinical study conducted under the partnership meets the
pinnacle of reliability, reproducibility, and ethical preclinical
operations. Ora and SERI both prioritize the assurance of data
integrity, reinforcing the credibility and trustworthiness of the
preclinical research conducted.
- Expanded Capacity: The partnership with SERI serves as a
catalyst for Ora's expansion of research offerings, granting
clients access to an even broader range of services to support
their ophthalmic drug development programs along with a heightened
level of expertise and resources.
“SERI's outstanding reputation and their proficiency in
conducting preclinical studies led by Associate Professor Veluchamy
A. Barathi align perfectly with the mission of Ora,” said Stuart
Abelson, chairman and CEO of Ora, Inc. “By combining our strengths,
we are poised to accelerate the development of innovative therapies
at all stages, furthering SERI’s mission as a global center of
excellence. We are stepping into a new era of preclinical
excellence, ready to tackle the next frontier of ophthalmic
innovation."
Professor Jodhbir Mehta, MD, executive director of SERI and
deputy chief executive officer (Research), SNEC, said, “We are
excited to embark on this pivotal partnership with Ora. This
collaboration propels us toward realizing SERI’s vision of becoming
an international center of excellence in eye and vision research.
Our SERI scientists rank among the top 2% globally in
ophthalmology, and our unprecedented impact factor in scientific
publications showcase our commitment to advancing eye care. By
seamlessly integrating our expertise with Ora’s, we aim to provide
unmatched preclinical capabilities, accelerating the development of
innovative ophthalmic therapies and reinforcing our position as
leaders in translating basic science to clinical applications for
sight-threatening disorders.”
Leading the partnership and collaboration for Ora will be Buffie
Kerstetter, director of preclinical partnerships, as a tenured
preclinical business development advocate for Ora’s valued sponsors
with 30 years of experience in the preclinical industry. For more
information about this partnership, please contact Buffie
Kerstetter at bkerstetter@oraclinical.com or Ravi Chandran at
ravi.chandran@snec.com.sg
About Ora Inc. Ora is the world’s leading full-service
ophthalmic drug and device development firm with offices in the
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Asia. For over 45
years, we have proudly helped our clients earn more than 85 product
approvals. We support a wide array of organizations, from start-ups
to global pharmaceutical and device companies, to efficiently bring
their new products from concept to market. Ora’s pre-clinical and
clinical models, unique methodologies, and global regulatory
strategies have been refined and proven across thousands of global
projects. We bring together the world’s most extensive and
experienced team of ophthalmic experts, R&D professionals, and
management executives to maximize the value of new product
initiatives. For more information, please visit www.oraclinical.com
and follow us on LinkedIn. Ora® and Ora Logo are registered
trademarks of Ora, Inc.
About Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) Singapore
Eye Research Institute (SERI) is Singapore’s premier national
research institute for ophthalmic and vision research and is part
of the SingHealth Cluster, one of the 3 healthcare clusters in
Singapore.
Renowned for its cutting-edge work in the realms of eye disease
and visual science, SERI’s research spans basic, clinical, and
translational efforts involving experts in ophthalmology, molecular
biology, genetics, bioengineering, AI, epidemiology, and population
health.
SERI has grown from a founding team of five in 1997 to an
integrated organization of more than 240 staff, encompassing
clinician scientists, scientists, research fellows, PhD students
and support staff. This makes SERI one of the largest research
institutes in the Asia Pacific region, publishing an impressive
array of more than 5000 scientific papers.
SERI undertakes vision research in collaboration with local
clinical ophthalmic centers and biomedical research institutions,
as well as major eye centers and research institutes throughout the
world. One of the key strengths of SERI is its multidisciplinary,
collaborative approach to research that has led to breakthroughs in
understanding and treating eye diseases, resulting in innovative
diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
SERI's close proximity to Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC),
its clinical arm, facilitates the seamless translation of basic
research findings into clinical practice, ensuring rapid
availability of the latest treatments and technologies to
patients.
SERI aims to be at the forefront of ophthalmic research,
translating this knowledge into enhanced patient care, especially
in regions where the burden of eye diseases is high.
For more information, please visit
www.snec.com.sg/research-innovation and follow us on LinkedIn.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502860806/en/
Buffie Kerstetter at bkerstetter@oraclinical.com Ravi Chandran
at ravi.chandran@snec.com.sg